Bed motion for printing presses



June 10, 1941. B, F, UP AM 2,244,979

BED MOTION FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 11, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 al I June 10,1941. 5, F, UP AM 2,244,979

BED MOTION FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 11, 1959 4 sheets-shed 2 F 1y .5. 20 [HI l I l 74 6Q v .87 9 a 1 g Ill 21 6 llllllllll :llllll I 7 W- \15 2* 2 i I l t IH .9 5' S 3 74 7 llllllllllli mlllll June 10, 1941. B.- F. UPHAM BED MOTION FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 11, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J1me 10, 1941. B, F, UPHAM 2,244,979

BED MOTION FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 11, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1'7 Claims.

This invention is an improvement in bed motions for printing presses and other machines having reciprocatory beds. Its principal object is to provide a simple high speed bed motion in which the bed is driven by a pinion which is oscillated to drive the bed at uniform speed during the major portion of each stroke, and is reversed at the ends of such strokes by novel means whereby the rotation of the pinion is gradually decelerated until the pinion is stopped, and then the pinion is reversed to start the bed in the opposite direction and gradually accelerated until the bed begins the uniform part of its movement on such stroke.

My invention provides novel means for actuating the bed driving pinion to drive and reverse same at .proper times; novel means (including an oscillatory segment) for reversing the bed driving pinion; and novel means for actuating said segment direct from a motor driven shaft so that the strains of reversals are practically transmitted to the motor. The invention further provides novel weighted means for assisting in the deceleration, stoppage and acceleration of the bed during the reversals thereof, whereby the strains on the bed motion during reversal are materially lessened.

In ordinary bed motions now in use the press bed is driven by a small pinion, and in small presses this pinion has so few teeth that the strains of reversals cause it to Wear rapidly, and the larger gear with which it meshes wears correspondingly during the time the reversals take place. My invention is particularly adapted for small presses and overcomes the aforesaid objectionable wear on the pinion; and by my invention the reversing strains are principally borne by the motor or drive shaft.

To enable those skilled in the art to understand and use my invention I will explain it as applied to a two-color bed and cylinder press of the type shown in my companion application, filed June 29, 1939, Serial No. 281,966. The accompanying drawings referred to in such explanation illustrate some practical embodiments of the invention. In the appended claims the various novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for which I desire protection are set forth.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical side elevation of one practical embodiment of my invention as applied to the bed of a two-color printing press.

Fig. 2 is a partial end elevation of the press shown in Fig. 1 looking from the feed end thereof.

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the bed motion with the bed and bed rack removed.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of parts of the reversing and counterbalancing mechanisms.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4, looking from the feeder end of press.

Figs. 6 and 7 are details.

Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views illustrating various positions of the bed driving and reversing mechanisms during one complete cycle of operations of the press.

Fig. 15 is a detail end View of one of the counterbalance weights.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a single cylinder press equipped with my bed motion.

The bed motion shown in Fig. 1 is of the type commonly known as a three-to-one bed motion, in which the type bed moves in one direction at a uniform speed for one-third of a complete cycle of operation of the press; and is then reversed during one-sixth of such cycle. Then it is moved in the opposite direction at uniform speed during one-third of the cycle; and is then again reversed during the remaining one-sixth of such cycle. When such presses as heretofore made are printing at high speed and during the reversals of the bed, the strains tend to cause the press to slide on the floor in the direction of the movement of the bed, and also severe strains are produced on the bed motion and other parts of the press mechanism.

In my invention in order to prevent such sliding and lessen the strains and assist in the reversals of the bed I provide a weighted member that is oscillated on its axis in directions opposite to the travel of the bed, and in an are less than 360 degrees, and which acts as a counterbalance to the bed during reversals, thereof,

and assists in the deceleration of the bed before.

the completion of its stroke in either direction, and also assists in the acceleration of the bed in the reverse direction at the beginning of the return stroke.

Referring to Fig. 1 the press bed 30 is mounted on the main frame and is shown (Fig. 2) as mounted on sliders 32 guided in ways attached to the side frames 20 and to intermediate frame members 2|. The bed has a rack 3| on its underside meshing with a pinion 6 mounted on a stub shaft 6s journaled in the frame members 2 l Above the bed (Fig. 1) are two impression cylinders l0 and la respectively adapted to cooperate with related forms on the bed. The sheets are transferred from cylinder ID to cylinder IIIa by a transfer member I which is mounted on a shaft 93 above and between the impression cylinders. The cylinders may be driven by a gear 9b on shaft 9s meshing with the usual gears on the cylinders. A second gear 9a on shaft 98 meshes with a gear 8 on a stub shaft 8s, and gear 8 meshes with a gear 3 on a shaft 38. Gear 3 also meshes with a gear 2 on a stub shaft 2s, and gear 2 meshes with a pinion I on the drive shaft Is. Shaft l s may be driven by any suitable means. Preferably I employ a motor I having a small pulley I5a which by means of a belt I5b drives a largepulley I50 fixed on shaft Is (as indicated in Fig. 1).

Gear 2 has a segment 2a which at proper times meshes with a segment 4a on a disk 4 (Figs. 3 and 6) fixed on a rock shaft 4s that extends transversely of the frame below and to one side of pinion 6. Disk 4 also has another segment to, spaced from segment 4a, and which at proper times is meshed with a segment 3a on gear 3 (Fig. 2)

'On shaft 48 is fixedly mounted a gear 5 which meshes direct with the bed driving pinion 6 (Fig. 2). Connected with gear 5 are two spaced segments 5a 51) (Fig. 7) which at proper times are alternately meshed by and with an oscillating segment Ia. (Figs. 1, 3, 4) mounted on an arm I attached to a rock shaft Is journaled in the frame parallel with shaft 48.

On the outer end of rock shaft Is (Figs. 1 and 3) is an upstanding crank arm 'Ic to which is pivoted one end of a link III), the other end of such link being pivoted to a downwardly extending link No hung on a pin II 01 attached to the frame. On link IIb is a stud Ila to which is pivoted one end of a connecting rod I I, the other end of which is pivoted to a crank pin It mounted on the outer end of shaft Is.

The pin I la is in the middle of link Ilb, and as the. link is moved back and forth by rod II, and one end of the link goes down its other end goes up an equal distance, and therefore the pin Il a moves in a straight line. The connecting rod II actuated by the crank It moves the straight line stud IIb back and forth and is of sufficient length to practically eliminate the sweet and sour effects of the crank movement of pin It.

In the construction shown, the disk 4 carrying segments 4a, 4b, and the gear 5 with segments 5a and 5b, and the counterbalance weights It (hereinafter described) are mounted on the shaft 48 (see Figs. 1 to 5). The gears I, 2 and 3, and segments 20. and 3a, 4a and 4b, the connecting rod II and lever Io are preferably arranged outside of the press frame as shown in Fig. 3, while the segments Ia, 5a, 5b, and gear 5 and pinion 6 are preferably arranged at the center of the press frame under the bed 30'.

Operation of bed motion The operation of the parts of the bed motion will be understood from the following explanation of a cycle of operations of the bed motion in connection with Figs. 8 to 14 of the drawings.

The press shown is a two-color press and the driving pinion 6 makes three revolutions during each complete cycle of operations of the press.

Starting the cylinder at the beginning of the uniform movement of the bed to the left, the parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 8. At this point segment 2a meshes with segment 4a (Fig. 8). From this point until the uniform motion to left is completed, segments 4a., 4b and segments 5a, 5b and counterbalances I4 rotate clockwise.

At the time segments 2a and 4a move out of mesh (Fig. 9) the reversing segment Ia is moving downward and meshes with segment 5b, and at this moment the peripheral speed of segment la is the same as that of segment 5b, and also of the linear speed of the bed during the uniform part of its stroke.

Between the positions shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 the bed is decelerated while under control of segment Ia, which during such time is meshed with segment 5b. Such deceleration of the bed is brought about by segment Ia meshing with segment 51) which is mounted on counterbalance shaft 48; and as segments 4a and 5b are mounted on same shaft segment 5b will impart deceleration to the bed through pinion 6.

When the bed 30 reaches its farthest position to the left (see Fig. 10), segments Ia and 5b disengage, but segment Ia remains under control of the crank It and connecting rod II.

Between the positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the bed is accelerated, while still under control of segment Ia, which is then moving upward at high speed, and is near the point of leaving segment 51) (Fig. 11), and at that time both segments Ia, 5b have a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of the bed during the uniform part of its stroke. As segment Ia. disengages segment 5b segment 3a meshes with segment ib (Fig. 11) which will cause gear 5 to impart uniform motion to the bed rack through pinion 6. At this time segment 4b, and gear 5 will be rotating anti-clockwise, and the press bed will begin the uniform part of its stroke to the right. Segments 3a and 4b remain in mesh during onethird of a cycle of the press.

In the various positions of the parts between that shown in Fig. 12 and that shown in Fig. 13, the segment Ia will move up and down but is out of mesh with any other segment and does no work. In Fig. 13 segment I is moving upward and has meshed with segment 5a, as at this point both have a uniform peripheral speed.

Between the positions shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the segments 3a and 41) go out of mesh, and simultaneously segments Ia. and 50. mesh together while moving upwardly; and will cause gear 5 through pinion 6 to decelerate the bed movement and stop the bed as it reaches its extreme right position (Fig. 14).

Between the positions shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 8 the segment Ta is meshed with segment 5a and moves downward. In Fig. 8 segment 1a is moving at its highest peripheral speed and segments 5a and 512, now move clockwise; and segment 4a meshes with segment 20.. From the position of parts shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 the segment 4a is driven with a uniform speed by segment 2a. While the parts are in positions intermediate that shown in Fig. 8 and that shown in Fig. 9 the segment; Ia. is moved up and down but is out of mesh with any other segment and does not work.

From the foregoing description of a cycle of operations it will be seen that the bed travels with a uniform speed in one direction during one-third of such cycle; it is then decelerated during one-twelfth of such cycle; it is then accelerated in the opposite direction during onetwelfth of such cycle; then it travels at uniform speed during one-third of the cycle; then it is decelerated during one-twelfth of the cycle; and finally it is accelerated during one-twelfth of the cycle, this completing the cycle.

In Fig. 16 I have shown a one-cylinder press, smaller than the two-color press shown in Fig. 1. The small press has one impression cylinder [01) which is driven direct from gear 3 which meshes with a gear I02 on the shaft of the impression cylinder. In the two-color press (Fig. 1) the maximum size of sheet would be about 22 x 28". In the one cylinder press (Fig. 16) the maximum size of sheet would be about 14" x 22. In the small press the bed is driven by mechanism similar to those described above, and correspondingly numbered in the drawings. In the smaller press however the pitman ll may be connected direct to the pin '!e on the arm on shaft Is, as shown in Fig. 16, and the link I lb and He may be dispensed with. The crank stroke in the smaller press is less than in the larger press, and the crank distortion is so minute that it is not necessary to use the straight line link motion.

The particular construction of the beds and number and arrangement of impression cylinders may vary according to size and capacity of press desired, as will be obvious to press builders, and the invention is not limited to any particular construction or arrangement or size of beds and cylinders.

As above stated, in order to cushion the shocks of reversals (deceleration and acceleration of bed at ends of its strokes) I employ weights to counterbalance the strains of reverse. The counterbalance weight may be applied to the gear 5, or other suitable part of the bed movement. Preferably in order to relieve the gears of the weight, I attach counterbalance weights [4 to the shaft 43 at opposite sides of gear 5. These counterbalances may be of any suitable form, and are shown as approximately T-shaped (Fig. having stems Ma attached to the shaft 4s, and enlarged curved heads Mb extending on opposite sides of the stems so as to accumulate weight at the most effective point, i. e., remote from the axis of the shaft.

During a cycle of operations of the press the shaft 4s is rocked on its axis on an are less than 360 degrees; and the counterbalances l4 are correspondingly rocked.

In Fig. 10 the bed has just reached its extreme left position, and the counterbalance had been turning in a direction opposite to the linear movement of the bed, and therefore as the bed is stopped the counterbalance exerts a force in a direction opposite to the travel of the bed, and overcomes the tendency of the press to slide on the floor.

In Fig. 11 the bed has started to the right and the counterbalance I4 is assisting the acceleration of the bed. While in the position shown in Fig. 8 the counterbalance is assisting in decelerating the bed.

In the press shown in Fig. 1 the counterbalance oscillates in an arc of about 270 degrees, and the bed driving pinion 6 oscillates in an arc of about 266 degrees. A weight equal to and parallel to the bed and moving in opposite directions to the bed would act as a counterbalance, but the forces exerted on the bed operating mechanisms during reversal would be doubled; therefore I prefer to move the counterbalance on arcs as this decreases undurable strains and stresses.

A flat bed press having my bed motion but without a counterbalance would probably have a maximum speed of about 4000 per hour; and at this speed would tend to slide along the floor at the reversals, but such press provided with a counterbalance such as I have described should 'be safely operable at from 5000 to 6000 per hour without sliding.

The counterbalance may be applied to other types or constructions of bed motions, as will be understood by those familiar with such mechanisms, and I do not consider this feature of my invention limited to use with the particular bed motions described herein,

I claim:

1. In a bed motion, a bed rack, a bed driving pinion meshing with said rack; a gear meshing with said pinion; means for alternately rotating the gear at uniform speed in opposite directions; spaced segments connected with said gear, and an oscillating segment adapted to alternately engage said spaced segments and cause the gear to reverse the bed at the end of each uniform movement and while said gear is disengaged with the means for operating it at uniform speed.

2. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, the means for actuating said oscillating segments including a rock shaft, a crank connected with said shaft, a swinging link adjacent said crank, a link pivoted at one end to said crank and at the other end to the free end of said swinging link, a crank on a driven shaft, and a rod connecting the latter crank with the link intermediate its ends.

3. In a bed motion; a bed, a pinion meshing with the bed, a gear meshing with the pinion, oppositely rotating gears adapted to alternately turn the first mentioned gear in opposite directions during the uniform portions of the strokes of the bed; spaced segments connected with the first mentioned gear; and an oscillatory segment adapted to alternately engage said spaced segments and cause the gear to reverse the bed at each end of its uniform travel and while said gear is disengaged from the oppositely rotating gears.

4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 3, the means for actuating said oscillating segment including a rock shaft, a crank connected with said shaft, a swinging link adjacent the crank, a

link pivoted at one end to said crank and at its other end to the free end of said swinging link, a crank on a driven shaft, and a rod connecting the latter crank with the link intermediate its ends.

5. In a bed motion, a bed, a pinion meshing with the bed, a gear meshing with the pinion, a rock shaft on which said gear is fixed; spaced segments mounted on said shaft, oppositely rotating gear segments adapted to alternately engage said segments to turn the shaft in opposite directions during the uniform portions of the strokes of the bed; spaced segments connected with the first mentioned gear; and an oscillatory segment adapted to alternately engage the spaced segments on the first mentioned gear and cause it to reverse the bed at each end of its uniform travel and while said shaft is free of the oppositely rotating gear segments.

6. In mechanism as, set forth in claim 5, the means for actuating said oscillating segment including a rock shaft, a crank connected with said shaft, a swinging link adjacent the crank, a link pivoted at one end to said crank and at the other end to the free end of said swinging link, a crank on a driven shaft, and a rod connecting the latter crank with the link intermediate its ends.

7. In a bed motion, a bed, a pinion meshing with the bed, a driven gear meshing with the pinion, a rock shaft on which the gear is fixed, gear segments on the said shaft, oppositely rotating gears adapted to alternately engage with the related gear segments on said shaft to turn it in opposite directions during the uniform portions of the strokes of the bed; spaced segments on the driven gear; an oscillatory shaft adjacent the rock shaft, a crank arm on said oscillating shaft, a segment on said arm adapted to alternately engage said spaced segments of the driven gear and cause it to reverse the bed at each end of its uniform travel and while said gear is freed from the oppositely rotating gears.

8. In combination a bed, means for reciprocating the bed, and means for reversing the bed at the ends of its stroke; with an oscillating weight adapted to assist in the deceleration of the bed during reversals thereof.

9. In combination a bed, means for reciprocating the bed, and means for reversing the bed at the ends of its stroke; with an oscillating weight adapted to counterbalance the bed at the ends of its strokes.

10. In combination a bed, means for reciprocating the bed and means for reversing the bed at the ends of its strokes; with an oscillating weight acting to counterbalance the bed at the ends of its strokes, and to assist in the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes.

11. In combination a bed, means for reciprocating the bed, and means for reversing the bed at the ends of its strokes; with an oscillating weight acting to counterbalance momentum of the bed at the ends of its strokes, and assist in the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes, and also to assist in the acceleration of the bed during the beginning of its strokes.

12. In combination, a bed, means for reciprocating the bed, and means for reversing the .bed at the end of its strokes; with an oscillating weight, and means for oscillating the Weight in an arc in directions opposite to the travel of the bed; said weight assisting the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes.

13. In combination, a bed, means for recipro cating the bed, and means for reversing the bed at the end of its strokes; with an oscillating weight, and means for oscillating the weight in an arc in directions opposite to the travel of the bed; said weight acting as a counterbalance to the bed, and assisting the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes, and also assisting in the acceleration of the bed during the beginning of its strokes.

14. In a bed motion, a bed rack, a bed driving pinion meshing with said rack; means for alternately rotating said pinion at uniform speed in opposite directions, and means to cause the pinion to reverse the bed at the end of each uniform movement, and while said gear is disengaged from the means for operating it at uniform speed; with an oscillating Weight acting as a counterbalance to the bed and assisting in the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes, and also in the acceleration of the bed during the beginning of its strokes.

15. In a bed motion, a bed rack, a bed driving pinion meshing with said rack; a gear meshing with said pinion; means for alternately rotating the gear at uniform speed in opposite directions; means to cause the gear to reverse the bed at the end of each uniform movement and while said gear is disengaged from the means for operating it at uniform speed; with an oscillating weight acting as a counterbalance to the bed at the ends of its strokes, and assisting in both the deceleration and the acceleration of the bed during reversals thereof.

16. In a bed motion, a bed rack, a bed driving pinion meshing with said rack; a gear meshing with said pinion; means for alternately rotating the gear at uniform speed in opposite directions; spaced segments connected With said gear, and an oscillating segment adapted to alternately engage said spaced segments and cause the gear to reverse the bed at the end of each uniform movement and while said gear is disengaged with the means for operating it at uniform speed; with a weight oscillating in directions opposite to the travel of the bed at the beginning and ends of its strokes, said weight assisting in the deceleration of the bed during the completion of its strokes, and in the acceleration of the bed during the beginning of its strokes.

17. In a bed motion; a bed, a pinion meshing with the bed, a gear meshing with the pinion, oppositely rotating gears adapted to alternately turn the first mentioned gear in opposite directions during the uniform portions of the strokes of the bed, spaced segments connected with the driven gear, and an oscillatory segment adapted to alternately engage said spaced segments and cause the gear to reverse the bed at each end of its uniform travel and While said gear is disengaged from the oppositely rotating gears; with a Weight oscillating in an are less than 360 degrees, and in directions opposite to the travel of the bed at the ends of its strokes, said Weight assisting in both the deceleration and acceleration of the bed during reversals thereof.

BURT F. UPHAM. 

